RBC Brewin Dolphin Becomes Major Supporter of Welsh Singers Competition

Responsible Business News , 26th October 2022

Welsh Singers Competition is a crucial part of the cultural fabric of Wales. Each two-year competition cycle offers extensive experience for all young singers that engage in the process: providing emerging classical artists with a unique opportunity to perform for an expert panel, to work with international artists and, ultimately, for the winner to represent Wales and share their talent with the global audience of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.

Many previous winners of this prestigious competition have gone on to have celebrated international careers, including Sir Bryn Terfel, Gwyn Hughes Jones, and Natalya Romaniw.

Rebecca Evans CBE, an internationally acclaimed soprano, herself won the competition in 1991 and has since enjoyed an illustrious career. Passionate about coaching young artists, this year is her first as Artistic Director of Welsh Singers Competition, and she said:

‘We are absolutely thrilled that RBC Brewin Dolphin (Wales) has become one of our major sponsors for the prestigious Welsh Singers Competition.

We look forward immensely to developing our ongoing relationship.’

Their generous support will be acknowledged through the development of the RBC Brewin Dolphin (Wales) Official Accompanist position and – for the first time in the competition’s history – through the RBC Brewin Dolphin (Wales) Audience Prize that will be presented to the chosen singer onstage by a company representative.

The wealth management and financial planning firm has a strong track record of generously supporting the arts in Wales, including previous support of the Wales Millennium Centre and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Geraint Hampson-Jones, RBC Brewin Dolphin (Wales) Head of Office in Cardiff said:

‘We’re delighted to be supporting the Welsh Singers Competition this year, promoting emerging Welsh talent on a global scale.

Helping the competitors showcase their talents also reflects our ambition to be the best in our field.

It is important to us that talented Welsh artists have the opportunity to pursue their chosen careers and if our support helps in achieving this, then we are pleased to have contributed to that journey.’

Following extensive auditions at Wales Millenium Centre and Royal Opera House, this year’s finalists are:

Dafydd Allen (Baritone) Osian Wyn Bowen (Tenor) Jessica Robinson (Soprano) Erin Gwyn Rossington (Soprano) Kieron-Connor Valentine (Countertenor).

The final will be held at Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama on Sunday, October 30th 2022 at 3pm, and later broadcast by S4C. The winning singer will be chosen by a distinguished jury: Rebecca Evans CBE (Chair), Dame Felicity Lott, and Kate Baylis, Director of Artistic Administration at Welsh National Opera.

Mae Cystadleuaeth Cantorion Cymreig yn rhan hanfodol o wead diwylliannol Cymru. Mae’r gystadleuaeth ȃ gynhelir pob dwy flynedd yn cynnig profiad helaeth i’r holl gantorion ifanc sy’n cymryd rhan yn y broses: gan roi cyfle unigryw i artistiaid clasurol sy’n dod i’r amlwg i berfformio i banel o arbenigwyr, gweithio gydag artistiaid rhyngwladol ac, yn y pen draw, i’r enillydd gynrychioli Cymru a rhannu eu talent gyda chynulleidfa fyd-eang BBC Canwr y Byd Caerdydd.

Mae nifer o gyn-enillwyr y gystadleuaeth bwysig hon wedi mynd ymlaen i yrfaoedd nodedig rhyngwladol, gan gynnwys Syr Bryn Terfel, Gwyn Hughes Jones, a Natalya Romaniw.

Enillodd Rebecca Evans CBE, soprano o fri rhyngwladol, y gystadleuaeth hon ym 1991 ac ers hynny mae wedi mwynhau gyrfa ddisglair. Yn frwd dros hyfforddi artistiaid ifanc, eleni yw’r tro gyntaf iddi fel Cyfarwyddwr Artistig Cystadleuaeth Cantorion Cymreig, a dywedodd:

‘Rydym wrth ein bodd bod RBC Brewin Dolphin (Cymru) wedi dod yn un o’n prif noddwyr ar gyfer Cystadleuaeth Cantorion Cymru.

Edrychwn ymlaen yn fawr at ddatblygu ein perthynas barhaus.’

Bydd eu cefnogaeth hael yn cael ei gydnabod trwy ddatblygiad swydd Cyfeilydd Swyddogol RBC Brewin Dolphin (Cymru) ac - am y tro cyntaf yn hanes y gystadleuaeth - trwy Wobr Cynulleidfa RBC Brewin Dolphin (Cymru) ȃ fydd yn cael ei chyflwyno ar y llwyfan gan gynrychiolydd o’r cwmni i'r canwr ȃ ddewiswyd.

Mae gan y cwmni rheoli cyfoeth a chynllunio ariannol hanes cryf o gefnogaeth hael i’r celfyddydau yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys cefnogaeth flaenorol i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru a Choleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru.

Dywedodd Geraint Hampson-Jones, Pennaeth Swyddfa RBC Brewin Dolphin (Cymru) yng Nghaerdydd:

‘Rydym yn falch iawn o gefnogi Cystadleuaeth Cantorion Cymru eleni, gan hyrwyddo talent newydd o Gymru ar raddfa fyd-eang.

Mae helpu’r cystadleuwyr i arddangos eu doniau hefyd yn adlewyrchu ein huchelgais i fod y gorau yn ein maes.

Mae’n bwysig i ni fod artistiaid dawnus Cymreig yn cael y cyfle i ddilyn eu gyrfaoedd dewisiedig ac os yw ein cefnogaeth yn helpu iddynt gyflawni hyn, yna rydym yn falch o fod wedi cyfrannu at y daith honno.’

Yn dilyn clyweliadau helaeth yng Nghanolfan Mileniwm Cymru a’r Tŷ Opera Brenhinol, y rhai sydd wedi cyrraedd y rownd derfynol eleni yw:

Dafydd Allen (Bariton) Osian Wyn Bowen (Tenor) Jessica Robinson (Soprano) Erin Gwyn Rossington (Soprano) Kieron-Connor Valentine (Uwch-denor).

Bydd y rownd derfynol yn cael ei chynnal yn Neuadd Dora Stoutzker, Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru prynhawn Sul Hydref 30ain 2022 am 3pm, a’i darlledu’n ddiweddarach ar S4C. Bydd y canwr/cantores fuddugol yn cael ei dewis gan reithgor o fri: Rebecca Evans CBE (Cadeirydd), Y Fonesig Felicity Lott, a Kate Baylis, Cyfarwyddwr Gweinyddiaeth Artistig Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru.